07/14/1992 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Fire and Rescue Department Robert L.Ridgeway 99 Nathan Ellis Highway George W. Baker Fire Chief Mashpee, Massachusetts 02649 Deputy Fire Chief (508)539-1454 Th: George Costa, Board of Selectmen Liaison and - Ed Baker, Finance Committee Li a' o G From: Robert L. Ridgeway, Fire Chief Date: July 15, 1992 Re: Emergency Response Data: First Half of Calender 1992 The purpose of this memo is to make both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee aware of the continuing increase in demand for fire, emergency medical, educational, and enforcement services as provided by this department. As may be noted from the attached statistics, emergency responses for 1992 continue to increase at a significant rate over the level of activity in 1991. Fire responses and fire losses have both shown dramatic increases, as may be noted below: * Increase in responses for the month of June (1992 vs. 1991): 16.1 % * Increase in responses from January 1 - June 30 (1992 vs. 1991): U.2 % * Increase in structure fires; year to date (1992 vs. 1991): 222.2 % * Increase in emergency medical responses; year to date: 5.4 % In addition to the information noted above, our activity level for preventative services, inspections, code enforcement, and public education has increased significantly over the past three years. For example, in 1991 this department conducted 444 fire code inspections (as opposed to 192 in 1990) involving commercial, mercentile, multi-family, and residential buildings, each of which requires approximately 3 manhours to complete. In order to cope with the above noted increases in demand for service, I shall be looking.to accomplish several objectives, Including: * Bringing to a halt continuing attempts to reduce this department's budget; our budget has been (further) reduced for the past three (3) straight years. * Adding additional personnel as called for in the "Master Plan for Fire and Rescue Protection". Additional personnel (1 per shift and I fire inspector) would significantly reduce the need to pay overtime and would allow us to cope With the increased demand for service. * Increase the number of trained "call" members available to serve as a backup to our career force, and as a ready auxiliary in time of greatest need. is_welcome and solicit your input and suggestions regarding this memo.